The course will provide a critical overview of themes from 17th century philosophy from Descartes to Berkeley.

Course description

Issues covered in this course include the nature of material and immaterial substances; the self and its relation to its body and to the non-human world in general; attitudes regarding animals and other living organisms; inanimate bodies and the mechanical philosophy; epistemological scepticism; innatism; sense perception, imagination, intellect; the epistemological role of language and abstract ideas; and moral issues concerning freewill and determinism and the nature of God and theodicy.

Mid term essay of 1500 word essay (40%)
Two hour exam taken in exam conditions (60%)

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Learning Outcomes

Students will gain an understanding of the often sophisticated and frequently heated debates that raged in the 17th century on matters scientific, theological and philosophical. They will come to appreciate the inter-relation between the epistemological, metaphysical, ethical, scientific and theological positions discussed. They will learn to evaluate critically the arguments offered both in defence of, and in opposition to, these positions. By the end of the course, students will be able to defend their own views on these issues and be able to develop and assess different interpretations of the texts studied.